Demographic lecture

1. FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC HEALTH
EOH 710 Fall 2017
This course introduces students to public health concepts and practice. It provides a broad overview of
the field of public health and a focused look at the core areas of epidemiology and biostatistics, health
promotion, environmental health, and health care administration. This course is designed to lay the
groundwork for all future coursework and introduce students to specialty areas within public health. We
will discuss several specific topics. Use this opportunity to think about topics for your thesis or pro
paper.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
• Understand the history and purpose of public health
• Describe public health as a system and identify its functions
• Identify the basic tools of public health inquiry to assess community health status
• Analyze community health problems for their determinants and contributing factors
• Discuss the role of government and public policy in promoting and protecting health
• Gain familiarity with public health concepts, areas of concentration, terminology, publications, and
web sites
COMPETENCIES:
• Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and
create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels. (MPH
06)
• Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
(MPH 012)
• Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content (MPH 20)
• Understand the effects of environmental contaminants and infectious diseases on the human body
and apply knowledge of these factors in developing prevention and management strategies and
making policy recommendations (EOH 02)
• Articulate the role of environmental health in the development of public policy and advocate for
science-based environmental health policy positions (EOH 04)
• Evaluate the role of environmental and global health in the top challenges facing mankind, including
overpopulation, energy, pollution, climate change, and infectious disease, to develop research
directions and priorities (PhD EOH 02)
FOUNDATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH KNOWLEDGE (FPHK):
1. Explain public health history, philosophy and values
2. Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services
3. Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a
population’s health
4. List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the US or other community relevant to the
school or program
5. Discuss the science of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in population health, including health
Course Description and Objectives

2. promotion, screening, etc.
6. Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge
7. Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health
8. Explain biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health
9. Explain behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health
10. Explain the social, political and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to
population health and health inequities
11. Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease
12. Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health and
ecosystem health (eg, One Health)
Each week you will read assigned material to familiarize yourself with the lecture material or learning
activity. All non-text readings can be found on webcampus. Please read these BEFORE class. The text
book is optional and it does correspond with some course topics.
REQUIRED READINGS:
Various electronic materials listed in the syllabus and available on webcampus.
RECOMMENDED READINGS:
Tulchinsky, T. H., & Varavikova, E. A. (2014). The new public health. Academic Press.
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION (30 PTS)
Students are expected to attend class, complete all assignments, and actively participate in class
discussions.
• Students should be prepared to take notes during lectures and class films.
• Students should read every assigned paper before the date indicated and be prepared to discuss the
readings in class.
• Participation also includes collegiality, which means you are respectful toward other students,
especially when there is a difference of opinion. This does not mean that you cannot question
other’s thoughts/ideas, especially the instructors.
ASSIGNMENTS (180 PTS.) (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
There will be homework assignments most weeks which will, in many cases, include film summaries,
worksheets, and lecture associated questions and discussions. Points for each set of assignments are
articulated on webcampus (WC). Instructions for each assignment will be given on webcampus. Students
are encouraged to review the assignments a week in advance so that they may have time to ask for
clarification during class time. Assignments are due the following week unless otherwise specified. You
will need internet access to complete many of the assignments. For the most part, assignments will be
1-2 page reports typed with 11-12 font size, double spaced with ½ inch margins. I will typically provide a
few questions for you to answer or items that I want you to reflect on.
Textbooks & Required Reading
Course Evaluation & Grading

3. There will occasionally be in class assignments that are will be turned in at the end of class for points.
Students are expected to complete every assignment regardless of the number of points you have
accumulated. Late assignments will not be accepted, unless arrangements have been made with the
instructor.
Spelling and grammar count – you are in graduate school.
PHD STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS: If you are a PhD student, your assignments will be graded based on an
appropriate level of PhD thought and rigor. You will also be expected to teach one course during the
semester. Please see the instructor early on to make arrangements.
Assignments completed for this course may be used as evidence of student learning in accreditation
reports. Students who do not wish their work to be used for accreditation purposes must inform the
course instructor in writing by the end of late registration. Your participation and cooperation are
appreciated.
ASSESSMENT OF GRADES
Grade Points Expectations/Evaluation Criteria
A 324 - 350
Student demonstrates mastery of the concepts; completes all assignments with a
high degree of skill; shows initiative and goes well beyond the minimum requirements;
has excellent attendance; consistently participates and contributes.
A- 311 - 323
Student understands and integrates terms and concepts; completes all assignments
with a moderate level of skill; has attended almost every class and is an active
participant.
B+ 299 - 310
Student understands the core concepts; completes all assignments at an acceptable
level and shows willingness to improve skills; has attended most classes and usually
participates. Please do not speak just for the sake of speaking – we all enjoy listening
to points that are quickly and clearly articulated by people who are speaking.
B 280 - 298
Student understands the core concepts; completes the minimum work required; has
attended most classes and occasionally participates/contributes.
B- <280
Student has not performed at the level expected for graduate school.
ANYTHING BELOW A B WILL NOT QUALIFY FOR GRADUATE CREDIT, AND WILL PUT
THE STUDENT ON PROBATION.
C <270
D <260
F < 220

4. Academic Misconduct—Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in
upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility, and professionalism. By choosing to join
the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Student Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when
faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling at UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a
manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution. An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism.
Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of another, from the Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources. See
the Student Academic Misconduct Policy (approved December 9, 2005) located at:
https://www.unlv.edu/studentconduct/student-conduct.
Copyright—The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves with and to follow
copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The
university will neither protect nor defend you, nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws.
Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary
action under University policies. Additional information can be found at: http://www.unlv.edu/provost/copyright.
Disability Resource Center (DRC)—The UNLV Disability Resource Center (SSC-A 143, http://drc.unlv.edu/, 702-895-0866)
provides resources for students with disabilities. If you feel that you have a disability, please make an appointment with a
Disabilities Specialist at the DRC to discuss what options may be available to you. If you are registered with the UNLV Disability
Resource Center, bring your Academic Accommodation Plan from the DRC to the instructor during office hours so that you may
work together to develop strategies for implementing the accommodations to meet both your needs and the requirements of
the course. Any information you provide is private and will be treated as such. To maintain the confidentiality of your request,
please do not approach the instructor in front of others to discuss your accommodation needs.
Final Examinations—The University requires that final exams given at the end of a course occur at the time and on the day
specified in the final exam schedule. See the schedule at: http://www.unlv.edu/registrar/calendars.
Incomplete Grades—The grade of I—Incomplete—can be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed three-fourths of
course work for that semester/session but for reason(s) beyond the student’s control, and acceptable to the instructor, cannot
complete the last part of the course, and the instructor believes that the student can finish the course without repeating it. The
incomplete work must be made up before the end of the following regular semester for undergraduate courses. Graduate
students receiving “I” grades in 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses have up to one calendar year to complete the work, at the
discretion of the instructor. If course requirements are not completed within the time indicated, a grade of F will be recorded
and the GPA will be adjusted accordingly. Students who are fulfilling an Incomplete do not register for the course but make
individual arrangements with the instructor who assigned the I grade.
Library Resources—Students may consult with a librarian on research needs. Subject librarians for various classes can be found
here: https://www.library.unlv.edu/contact/librarians_by_subject. UNLV Libraries provides resources to support students’
access to information. Discovery, access, and use of information are vital skills for academic work and for successful post-
college life. Access library resources and ask questions at https://www.library.unlv.edu/.
Rebelmail—By policy, faculty and staff should e-mail students’ Rebelmail accounts only. Rebelmail is UNLV’s official e-mail
system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive official university communication such as information about
deadlines, major campus events, and announcements. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been
admitted to the university. Students’ e-mail prefixes are listed on class rosters. The suffix is always @unlv.nevada.edu. Emailing
within WebCampus is acceptable.
Religious Holidays Policy—Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of
observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up missed work. The make-up will
apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor within the first 14
calendar days of the course for fall and spring courses (excepting modular courses), or within the first 7 calendar days of the
course for summer and modular courses, of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state
holidays or periods of class recess. For additional information, please visit:
http://catalog.unlv.edu/content.php?catoid=6&navoid=531.
Transparency in Learning and Teaching—The University encourages application of the transparency method of constructing
assignments for student success. Please see these two links for further information:
https://www.unlv.edu/provost/teachingandlearning https://www.unlv.edu/provost/transparency
Tutoring and Coaching—The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring, academic success coaching and other academic
assistance for all UNLV undergraduate students. For information regarding tutoring subjects, tutoring times, and other ASC
Additional Items

5. programs and services, visit http://www.unlv.edu/asc or call 702-895-3177. The ASC building is located across from the Student
Services Complex (SSC). Academic success coaching is located on the second floor of SSC A (ASC Coaching Spot). Drop-in
tutoring is located on the second floor of the Lied Library and College of Engineering TBE second floor.
UNLV Writing Center—One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the
Writing Center, located in CDC-3-301. Although walk-in consultations are sometimes available, students with appointments will
receive priority assistance. Appointments may be made in person or by calling 702-895-3908. The student’s Rebel ID Card, a
copy of the assignment (if possible), and two copies of any writing to be reviewed are requested for the consultation. More
information can be found at: http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/.
Other class specific information – Please be on time to class; arriving late may count as an absence and is at the discretion of the
instructor. No cell phone use in class. Please keep your cell phones put away and on silent throughout the class period. No
texting, facebooking, tweeting, instragramming, snapchatting, etc. during class time. It is very easy to tell if you are taking
notes or doing something else on a computer. You will be asked to put all electronic devices away if the instructor suspects
improper use during class.
Important Dates:
Sept 1 – final day to drop with 100% refund
Oct 6 – final day to completely withdraw and get 50% refund
Oct 20 – final day to apply for graduation
Nov 3 – final day to drop without a refund

6. The instructor reserves the right to modify the schedule and adjust requirements and evaluation criteria for
this course if necessary. Announcements regarding changes to the syllabus will be made during scheduled
lectures or electronically and are your responsibility.
AUG 28 Module 1: What is Public Health?
Required Reading: Declaration of Alma Ata, IOM: The Future of the Public's
Health in the 21st Century
Assignments
1. What is public health (ques on wc)?
2. Is Health a Human Right (ques on wc)?
Competencies: FPHK 1, 2
SEP 4 Labor Day – no in class meeting
Module 2: Historical Perspectives
Required Reading: Mullan, F., Don Quixote, Machiavelli, and Robin Hood: Public
Health Practice, Past and Present.
Recommended Reading: Text Chap 1
Assignments
1. History of the Public Health Service
2. Historical figures
Competencies: FPHK 1
SEP 11 Module 3: Core Concepts in Public Health; Tools for Problem Solving
Required Reading: Ratcliffe, et al., Perspectives on Prevention.
Recommended Reading: Text Chap 2
Assignments:
1. Film Critique – Cancer Detectives of Lin Xian (ques on wc)
Competencies: FPHK 5
SEP 18 Module 4: Data and Measurement in Public Health
Required Reading: Pinheiro et al. Cancer mortality in Hispanic ethnic groups;
Orlich et al.
Vegetarian dietary patterns and mortality in Adventists Health Study
Recommended Reading: Text Chap 3; Schoenbach, Relating Risk Factors
Assignments:
1. Data Worksheet
2. Measurement worksheet
Competencies: FPHK 3
Class Schedule

7. SEP 25 Panel Discussion with PH experts (meet in CBC-A 106)
Oct 2 Module 5: Patterns of Disease; Disease/Injury Surveillance
Required Reading: Harris et al. Health dept use of social media to identify
foodborne Illness
Assignment:
1. Surveillance Course – North West Center for PH Practice
2. Question posted on wc
Competencies: FPHK 6
OCT 9 Module 6: Infectious and Communicable Disease
Required Reading: Anthony S. Fauci et al., Emerging Infectious Diseases: a 10-
Year Perspective from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Recommended: Text Chap 4
Assignments:
1. View Episode 20 of Intro to infectious diseases and answer the questions
posted in WC
Competencies: FPHK 11
OCT 16 Module 7: Chronic Disease
Required Reading: Bauer et al. Prevention of chronic disease in the 21st century:
elimination of the leading preventable causes of premature death and disability in
the USA
Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural,
environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990–
2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015
Recommended: Text Chap 5
Assignments:
1. Questions posted on wc.
2. In class assign (root causes)
Competencies: FPHK 4, 9
OCT 23 MIDTERM EXAM
OCT 30 Module 8: Injury Prevention and Control
Required Reading: Krug, et al., The Global Burden of Injuries
Assignments: None!

8. Nov 6 Module 9: Social Determinants of Health
Required Reading: Braveman et al. Social Determinants of Health Coming of
Age
AND http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/foundation-health-
measures/Disparities
Recommended Reading: Text Chap 6
Assignments:
1. Health disparity fact sheet
2. Raising of America questions posted on WC
Competencies: FPHK 8, 10
NOV 13 Module 10: Healthy Environments
Required Readings: Paris et al. Precocious Puberty and Environmental
Endocrine Disruptors
Hall et al. The Progressive Increase of Food Waste in America and Its
Environmental Impact
Recommended Reading: Text Chap 9
Assignments:
1. Question posted on wc
Competencies: FPHK 7
NOV 20 Module 11: Healthy Communities
Required Reading: Srinivasan, et al., Creating Healthy Communities, Healthy
Homes, Healthy People: Initiating a Research Agenda on the Built Environment
and Public Health
Recommended: Text chap 7
Assignments:
1. Audits
2. Questions posted on wc
Competencies: FPHK 7, 10
NOV 27 Module 12: Law, Ethics, Policy and Preparedness
Required Readings: Gostin, Public Health Law in a New Century JAMA.
2000;283(21):2837-2841
Principles of Public Health Ethics
Assignments: None!
Competencies: FPHK 1

9. DEC 4 Module 13: One Health
Required Readings: One Health contributions towards more effective and
equitable approaches to health in low- and middle-income countries
One Health, Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse: Veterinary Study Examines
Animal Abuse Within Domestic Violence
Assignments:
1. Reaction paper (posted on wc)
Competencies: FPHK 12
DEC 11 Finals Week – Date and Time of Final to be Announced